Packing for a flight can be stressful, especially when you’re trying to fit everything into one suitcase. But not everything belongs in checked baggage. Some items can be dangerous, restricted by airlines, or simply better kept with you during the journey.
Before you close your suitcase, make sure these five things aren’t packed inside your checked luggage.
1. Power Banks and Spare Lithium Batteries
Power banks, portable chargers and spare lithium batteries generally should not be placed in checked baggage. They should be carried in your cabin baggage, where they can be monitored if they overheat or become damaged.
This includes spare batteries for cameras, laptops, drones and other electronic devices.
Always check your airline’s rules regarding battery capacity, as particularly large batteries may have additional restrictions.
2. Important Documents
Never put essential travel documents in your checked suitcase.
Keep your:
- Passport
- Visa and immigration documents
- Boarding pass
- Identification
- Travel insurance details
- Important booking information
in your cabin bag or personal item.
If your checked luggage is delayed or lost, you don’t want your passport or other critical documents trapped inside it.
3. Valuable Jewellery and Expensive Items
Jewellery, cash, expensive watches and other irreplaceable valuables are better kept with you.
Checked baggage can occasionally be delayed, lost or damaged. Airlines may also have limited liability for certain valuable items.
If you are travelling with expensive equipment, check your airline’s conditions of carriage and insurance coverage before your trip.
4. Essential Medication
If you take prescription medication regularly, keep it in your cabin baggage whenever possible.
A delayed or misplaced suitcase shouldn’t leave you without medication you need during the journey.
Keep medicines in their original packaging when practical, and carry prescriptions or supporting documentation for medicines that may be subject to additional restrictions.
For temperature-sensitive medicines, check the storage requirements and airline guidance before travelling.
5. Irreplaceable or Fragile Items
Family photographs, important documents, delicate keepsakes and other irreplaceable belongings should not be entrusted to checked baggage.
Even when luggage is handled carefully, suitcases can experience impact during loading and unloading.
If something would be extremely difficult or impossible to replace, keep it in your cabin baggage.
What About Other Restricted Items?
Airline and aviation regulations also restrict or prohibit various items in both checked and cabin baggage. These can include certain flammable materials, explosives, compressed gases, weapons and other hazardous substances.
The exact rules depend on the item, airline and country, so check your airline’s baggage restrictions before packing.
Quick Packing Rule
Before checking your suitcase, ask yourself:
“What would I urgently need if my luggage disappeared for two days?”
Keep those items with you.
Your cabin bag should generally contain your documents, essential medication, valuables, electronics and other irreplaceable necessities, while your checked suitcase can hold clothing and other permitted items that aren’t immediately essential.
Travel Tip: Baggage rules can vary between airlines and destinations. Always check the latest restrictions with your airline and the relevant airport or aviation authority before travelling.